CHICO — Sounds of hammering rang out at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds as workers put steel panels together to build a house in one day as a demonstration for Camp Fire survivors on Saturday.
The company doing the live-build, Concord-based SLAM Homes Inc., was one of more than 90 exhibitors at the Home Builders Resource Expo. The two-day event, which continues Sunday, is all about rebuilding after a wildfire, with a focus on fire safety.
Several hundred people attended on Saturday, more than had pre-registered. Like many Camp Fire community events, it was an opportunity for people from all the different burned neighborhoods to come together to see each other after being scattered around the region. As around half the lots have been cleared of debris, many came eager to start the next phase.
“I’m just here to figure out what step one is,” said Jim Fairchild, a Paradise resident at the fair who is set on rebuilding his house so his granddaughters can continue to go to school in the town. “We’re going to do it, and I got to find out how to put the sticks down.”
Among the exhibitors are dozens of construction contractors specialized in fire-resistant materials, custom-built homes or manufactured homes. Some are local builders. Some are California-based builders who have experience in other areas recovering from wildfires, like Santa Rosa after the Tubbs Fire. Solar power and energy efficiency companies distributed materials related to the new state energy code that will apply to newly built homes starting in January.
Federal, state and local authorities were also on hand answering questions. That includes representatives from Butte County, Cal Fire, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).
“We’re only all here at the fair (Saturday and Sunday),” said Lauren Gill, Paradise’s town manager. “You’ve got everything from mosquitoes to how to rebuild to the water to FEMA debris removal.”
Many people had questions specifically about starting the process to rebuild. The longest line at any of the booths was probably the one for 4LEAF Inc., the contractor helping the town of Paradise with permits.
Nearby, Curtis Johnson, the building division manager for Butte County, said he was clarifying misunderstandings about different building codes and requirements in different jurisdictions, from the town of Paradise to the unincorporated areas in the county to the Paradise Pines Property Owners Association (POA).
Dozens of residents also sought answers about fees, rebuilding and water contamination from Paradise Irrigation District representatives in a session at the Garden Pavilion. The educational program will be the same on Sunday and includes presentations from United Policy Holders, a nonprofit helping disaster survivors navigate the insurance process, FEMA and the Butte Fire Safe Council.
The event was put on by the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Paradise Citizens Alliance, Rebuild Paradise Foundation, Paradise Community Guilds and Valley Contractors Exchange.
